Picture frame



Nov. 5, 1968 J. H. ROTHERAINE ET AL 3,408,759

PICTURE FRAME Filed March 15, 1967 7 TTORNEY United States Patent 3,408,759 PICTURE FRAME Jerome H. Rotheraine, 729 Loneshore Ave. 19111, and Haig Vartanian, 4935 N. Ella St. 19120, both of Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed Mar. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 623,463 2 Claims. (Cl. 40-152) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In this invention, a picture frame is so constructed that the main body of the frame could be used to frame either pictures or photos, and an insert is provided which interlocks with the body portion of the main frame surrounding the picture opening, the insert having a flange adapted to interlock with the rear marginal face of the picture opening of the main frame.

In this invention we have devised a novel picture frame, preferably of plastic, having a novel construction and arrangement of the marginal portions of the front and rear face surrounding the picture opening and a novel insert which snaps into position to interlock with the frame and provide an embossed appearance with the frame.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will hereinafter more clearly appear, our invention comprehends a novel construction and arrangement of a picture frame and insert therefore.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, We have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of it, which we have found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results. It is, however, to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the exact arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein set forth.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame and insert embodying our invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the picture frame with the insert separated from the frame.

FIGURE 3 is a section on line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing the insert being snapped over the front bead and rear flange of the picture frame.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective similar to FIGURE 5, but showing the insert after it is snapped in place.

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings:

The main picture frame consists of a molded, one piece frame, preferably formed from a suitable plastic material and having a continuous outer marginal portion 1, having simulated mitered portions 2 extending inwardly and terminating in a continuous flat portion 3, said portion 3 terminating at its inner end in a continuous bead 4, the inner edge of which projects inwardly in a continuously flattened portion 5 to form the picture opening.

The inner side of the flat portion 3, before mentioned,

also forms a flattened portion 6, and adapted to receive the lip of the insert to be later described. Said portion 6 extending inward-1y to join with an outwardly extending continuous marginal portion 7 to provide a suitable marginal recess to support the glass 8, picture 9, and backing 10. The transparent plastic, picture and backing is retained in place in the support by inwardly extending flanges 11, the plastic being of a transparent type and adapted to be snapped over the flanges 11, together with the picture and backing.

An insert is provided in the form of a frame molded in one piece from a suitable material such as a plastic and consists of a continuous outer marginal portion 12, having an inner continuous mitered portion 13 terminating in an opening 14. The outer marginal portion 12 terminates at its inner edge in a flattened portion 14, recessed at 15 and adapted to snap over the bead 4 on the main frame. The inner edge of recess 15 extends inwardly at 16 a suitable distance to extend slightly beyond the flattened portion 6 of the frame when the insert is in place. The inward extension 16 is provided with a continuous inner extension 17 which forms a lip adapted to snap over the inner edge of the flattened portion 6 of the frame, thus retaining the insert in assembled condition with the main frame.

In operation, the transparent plastic picture and 'backing is first snapped in place in the marginal recess 7 of the main frame. The insert is then pressed over the bead 4 and the lip snapped over the flattened portion 6 of the frame.

The picture opening and the construction of the frame at the marginal portions surrounding the opening at the front and rear of the frame, and the insert, are shown as rectangular, but it will be apparent that they can have any desired contour.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A picture frame comprising a frame having a pic ture opening, the marginal portion surrounding the opening at the rear face of the frame being recessed, a backing and a transparent member between which the picture is placed in said recess, said frame having flanges overhanging the backing to secure the backing, picture and transparent member in assembled condition, the marginal portion at the front face of the frame surrounding the opening having a rounded bead and an insert recessed to receive the bead and having a rearwardly extending flange which engages the inner marginal recess of the frame.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the rearwardly extending flange of the insert terminates in a lip iwhich interlocks with the frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 676,200 6/1901 Oldenbusch 40-152 1,463,150 7/1923 Carlsen 40152 2,785,490 3/1957 Fabry 40-156 3,039,217 6/ 1962 Stefanakis 40 152 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primkvy Examiner. W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

